Magic Carpet Ride...

So it was 50 degree C outside (around 120 degrees F). We were so freaking hot! Our jeep safari from Oludeniz stopped at a local carpet maker's guild. I ran to the air conditioner.

We were in a warehouse type setting surrounded by huge floor looms. We were told that an average wool carpet(4 by 6 meters) takes one woman 3 months; working an average of 6 hours a day(I think only 5 days a week). The Turkish carpets are also special because they use a double knotting system as opposed to only single knots used in other countries. These women are so so so fast. They whip their fingers in and around the base strings and then slice the end with their knife. Before you know it they have a whole row of knots done.

Our group was escorted into a viewing room. They gave us fresh apple juice(thank goodness...remember the heat!) and started the show. As we sat one man told us about the types of carpets; silk, wool, cotton, different weaves, etc. There were three other men unrolling the carpets for your visual pleasure. It reminded me of a circus, definitely a performance. They danced around the room popping these beautiful colors in front of your eyes. The floor was covered with a gorgeous array of colors and styles.

The Turks are good salesmen for sure. Did it work on me? Yes, I love supporting hand made goods. It was so inexpensive if you really consider the time it took to make these amazing creations. I need to save up for the silk ones. It was interesting because only women seemed to make the carpets and only men seemed to sell them?? We hopped back into our jeep and rode of into the heat; searching for our next possibe way to cool off????? Lot's of fun ahead.

Now it's time to say goodbye...

Where did the time go? There we all are,(Kloe and other exchange students) dancing at one of our favorite clubs. I feel like I just came to Turkey. Everything new, meeting all the other yobanci orenci(foreigner students) for the first time and now I am saying good bye. Exchanging emails and wondering who you will really keep in touch with. All my friends from U.S. are writing me "see you soon". I am in love with a Turk...what do I do about that? Wow life flies by! I guess just live in the now and enjoy as much as you can! I will always have a special place in my heart for Turkey and I know this isn't the end. I am excited though to see friends and family(of course). I miss food variety, sushi, blue water seafood, my mama's cooking, big fat Mexican burrito!!!!!! In my Turkish city variety is lacking for sure! I also miss Yoga and people to run with! Paths to run on and not getting stared at like a freak when you run by! OK that is it for now...I still have a month and a half.

Our tour guide

My girls and I headed to Iznik for a couple of days. All we really had heard was "there's a lake." Tamam...Let's go! We started to explore the city, popping in and out of the ceramic shops. People watching as usual I notice a little man. He hopped up as he saws us coming but he started heading away from us instead of towards us...huh? We start to pass him when he pops around and yells, "hosgeldiniz" (welcome in Turkish). He directs us into his favorite ceramic shop. Ok thank you???????? As we come out he is waiting for us holding three Erik(green sour plums). He gives one to each of us. Again it is the talking with the hands and eyes. I have become "good" at speaking turkish... I connect words without any verbs. He invites us for cay(tea). We follow him and his little cane to the local corner men's cay place. In turkey there are tons of places with men only sitting inside drinking tea. It is a ltiile intimidating but in we stroll, three bayan yobancis(foriegn girls) and our new friend Mehmet. We all get cay and almost as fast as we get it his is gone. We signal to him in a way, "how do you drink it so fast?" He pulls out his dentures for us. I love it! Anyways he decides to show us his city. We try to go to the museum but it is closed. He tries to talk the guy into opening the door for us since we are yobancis. It was hilarious. Next we follow him to the camii(mosque) in the photo. He points out the stone carving... cok guzel(very beautiful)!! The topping on the cake was when he brought us to the stone wall fortress that surrounds the city. There is a cemetary. He starts signing this beutiful Turkish song and making a sleeping hands gesture. He was singing for the dead. I have a video...I'll show you later! You never who you are going to meet and how they will affect you. Thank you Mehmet!

Switzerland

Even when you are there it seems fake. The Swiss people have created this wonderful harmony with nature and modern life. They have nice cars, trains, showers, every modern thing yet preserve this amazing nature around them. We were able to drink from the water falls and the fresh spring feed faucets all over town. In many cities around the world you can't even drink water from the tap let alone an outdoor faucet. I love it! My sister, her man and I hiked the SHARK'S FIN. It deserves capital letters and we freaking rock! This vertical climb took us 3 1/2 hours up and 2 1/2 down. It is worth the pain because when you get to the top...this is your view! Imagine the panoramic! We caught our breath, devoured some peanut butter sandwiches and took a small nap amongst the wild flowers. Then it was back to Turkey.

Olympos

Just a spoonful of sugar...














Friends...














and a beautiful beach...

Helps the medicine go down, the medicine go down. Well actually that is the medicine. Olympos is tucked into a beautiful wooded valley. You feel like you are on an island because there are no big hotels blocking your view. Everyone stays in small pesions with treehouses or small cabins as your accomadation. You can walk freely around the ruins of the ancient city or jump off rocks into the sea. The salty sea is great for floating on your back and dreaming. cok guzel! I like surprises!

Pirates...arhhgggg!!!

This is the Harbor view from my friend's secret garden. We traveled around the south on the Mediterranean. We climbed by car(haha)through Alanya and Antalya smelling orange blossoms and sea for days. We toured castles, caves and waterfalls. We heard stories about princesses, sultans and pirates. This is inspiration for a book for sure. I will find my pot of gold!

Small town hospitality...

One of our new little friends in Afyon...


















We were on our way to Alanya and stopped off in Afyon to take some photos and stretch our legs. All five of us were equipped with cameras and smiles. We started exploring the old part of the city with it's intimate colorful alleys. We all were stalking a mother hen and her three different colored chicks for a photo...so cute. We stumbled upon two little boys running up and down this stairwell. I was tired just watching them. There was also a little covered woman sticking her head out the window. She was getting some sun and hanging a rug on her clothesline. She offered us tea and we accepted. She brought us pillows to sit on. The little boys were wrestling and showing off for the camera. They were so sweet and ran up the hill to pick us girls little yellow daisies. A few other women came out of their houses to meet us, Yobancı orencı(foriegn students). We all felt so welcomed by these total strangers. It was a beautiful day of sipping sweet tea and meeting new friends.